If you are patient of a naturopathic doctor and you suffer from a mood disorder, insomnia, addiction, chronic pain or fatigue (and a host of other conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer), chances are, you have been tested for the MTHFR gene mutation. More than 60% of my patients that report mood disorders, either in their personal or family history, are positive for this mutation. In this article, I will explain why detoxification is paramount for everyone who is positive for this variant.

The MTHFR gene is a blueprint for the MTHFR enzyme. This biochemical machine manufactures a very special activated form of folate called methyltetrahydrofolate or 5-MTHF for short. 5-MTHF is the gatekeeper to the world of methylation. Without 5-MTHF and the methylation cycle, anxiety, panic and insomnia can result. The risk of cancer also increases, especially estrogen sensitive cancers like breast, ovarian and prostate. We also see higher incidence of recurring infections, poor wound healing and leaky gut, fat distribution in liver and muscle and cardiovascular disease.

There is a second role of 5-MTHF that is highly pertinent to people suffering from depression, addiction, insomnia, impaired cognition and memory, attention deficit, apathy and even chronic pain and other neurological disorders. This is the role of 5-MTHF in the BH4 cycle. This cycle is the first step in the production of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that allow us to feel, happy, alert, energetic, able to focus and feel reward from life and also to sleep and wake rested.

I have been contemplating the emerging frequency of positive MTHFR gene mutations and the trend to bypass the MTHFR enzyme by providing 5-MTHF (methylfolate) as a supplement to treat mood disorders. The term “mutation” implies defective; I prefer the term SNP (pronounced snip), which stands for single nucleotide polymorphism. I would like to propose that the MTHFR SNP has evolved to divert from the methylation and BH4 cycles to preserve intermediates that chaperone toxins for elimination and others that serve as building blocks of DNA to replace dying cells. Is the MTHFR SNP is a random mistake, or is it an intelligent adaptation to an ever increasingly toxic environment?

As a naturopathic doctor, I am trained to see symptoms as messages from the body about what the stressors are. Take for example, the common cold. The body produces mucus to clean up dying cells and viral particles and fever to kill the virus. Should we suppress the cleansing production of mucus and the fever? Absolutely not! Instead we provide immune stimulating botanicals, nutrients, mucolytics and even fever treatments to enhance the fighting power. My first and primary philosophical assessment of any symptom is to ask the question why. Why has the body produced this response? We call this the vis medicatrix naturae: the healing power of nature.

When I receive a positive MTHFR SNP in my patients and homocysteine is not high, I pause. I do not jump right to shoveling the body full of 5-MTHF as a quick fix to mood disorders. The SNP is inherited from our parents and grandparents, most of whom survived the industrial revolution, the emergence of plastics and petrochemicals, the fast food movement and the era of microwaved dinners. Our world today is teaming with pollutants in the air and the water, permeating the food chain from every angle. Providing high doses of 5-MTHF alone without supporting detoxification may do more harm than good. I think of it as suppressing symptoms in much the same way that aspirin suppresses a fever or cold medicine suppresses phlegm. There is already a pharmaceutical prescription form of 5-MTHF called Deplin that offers 5-MTHF in doses higher than 1,500 times the amount of folate in a serving of leafy greens. I think you would agree this doesn’t seem “natural” like the marketing suggests.

I treat a great deal of anxiety and depression in my practice and so I am certainly driven by the impetus to help my patients feel better fast. It would appear that the MTHFR SNP is a quick fix to a very complicated and highly individualized problem, but alas, it is not that simple. To address the imbalanced neurotransmitters, we must first work on the terrain. Think of your body as the soil for your spirit to grow and blossom. Would you expect a rose to bloom or a tree to fruit if the soil is toxic, deficient, dehydrated and stuck inside without sunlight? Your body is much the same. This is why it takes time to heal mood disorders and fatigue, because these symptoms are the downstream consequences of a survival strategy from generations of toxic overload. To create true cure, we have to treat the underlying stressors first. So what then can you do now to begin healing your terrain?

First, remove toxins from your environment everywhere you have control. Your naturopathic doctor can guide you through this in great detail. To start, eliminate harsh detergents, synthetic fragrances and textiles, conventional meats and produce (see the clean 15 and the dirty dozen list- http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/ ), non-stick cookware, food additives, plastics and tap water. To mobilize and eliminate stored toxins in the body, a medically guided detox is recommended twice per year. Your body is in a continual state of renewal. Old cells die and are replaced by new cells everyday. A detox program is designed to stimulate the channels of elimination to remove those intracellular toxins that spill out as your tissues regenerate.

Second, clean up your diet by removing packaged and processed food. These frankenfoods are not only toxic, but refined grains contain synthetic folic acid, which is harmful to people with the MTHFR SNP. Increase fresh organic fruits, vegetables, lean meats, wild fish, seeds, nuts, legumes and whole grains (for some) and healthy fats. Leafy greens, artichokes, asparagus, avocado and raspberries are rich sources of 5-MTHF and to boot, they contain a cocktail of other nutrients needed for the methylation and BH4 cycles as well as detoxification. Boost glutathione levels with, sulfur containing vegetables (organic eggs, garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale and collard greens), 2-4 brazil nuts, turmeric, milk thistle and organic non-denatured whey protein (for some).

Third, photosynthesize! Get plenty of fresh air, clean water and sunlight daily.

As a naturopathic doctor, I work behind the scenes on the intricate details of the biochemistry and guide you through identifying and removing toxins. Through this holistic approach, your terrain will again support the healthy production of neurotransmitters and the emergence your unique vibrant spirit.